Sec. 2001 Definition of Administrator
In this division, the term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Division B — Drinking water and wastewater infrastructure
B Drinking water and wastewater infrastructure
I Drinking water
Sec. 2101 Technical assistance and grants for emergencies affecting public water systems
Emergency grant program— Section 1442(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–1(d)) is amended by striking “$35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Technical assistance to small public water systems— Section 1442(e)(5) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–1(e)(5)) is amended by striking “$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$26,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2102 Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds
in subsection (a)(2), by striking subparagraph (G) and inserting the following:
“(G) Additional uses of funds—In addition to any use otherwise authorized under this section, amounts in a State loan fund may be used for—
“(i) addressing emerging contaminants in drinking water, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which may include—
“(I) capital investments to facilitate assessment and monitoring;
“(II) identification or development of alternative supply options where treatment is impractical; and
“(III) at the discretion of the State, prioritizing projects addressing emerging contaminants in drinking water, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in communities located in drought-prone regions that rely on groundwater aquifers as a primary or secondary source of drinking water, including communities within an aquifer designated by the Administrator as a sole source aquifer;
“(ii) lead service line (as defined in section 1459B(a)) replacement projects and associated activities directly connected to the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines (as so defined); and
“(iii) a project that—
“(I) improves drinking water service while also providing wildfire suppression benefits; and
“(II) is located in—
“(aa) a community located in an area with a high risk for fire or wildfire, in the built or natural environment, as evidenced by a State wildfire map or a geospatial map generated pursuant to section 210(a) of the Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; Public Law 115–141); or
“(bb) a rural community.”
in subsection (g)(3)—
in subparagraph (A), by inserting “and” after the semicolon at the end;
in subparagraph (B), by striking “; and” and inserting a period; and
by striking subparagraph (C);
in subsection (m), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
“(1) In general—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the purposes of this section—
“(A) $3,750,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
“(B) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
“(C) $4,250,000,000 for fiscal year 2029; and
“(D) $4,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.”
by striking subsection (t).
Determination of grant amounts—
In general— Section 1452(g)(2)(A) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12(g)(2)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(iii) Determination of grant amounts—The amount of grant awards described in clause (ii)(II)(cc) shall be determined based on the total amount appropriated to the Administrator each fiscal year to carry out this section, including, if applicable, any items of Community Project Funding or Congressionally Directed Spending for a drinking water project that are referenced in a provision of an Act making appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency.”
Updated guidance— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update any applicable guidance to reflect the amendment made by paragraph (1).
Sec. 2103 Assistance for small and disadvantaged communities
in subsection (j)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “(including emerging contaminants, with a focus on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances)” after “a contaminant”; and
by striking subsection (k) and inserting the following:
“(k) Authorization of appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsections (a) through (j) $140,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.”
Drinking Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability— Section 1459A of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19a) is amended—
in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “(j) and (m)” and inserting “(j), (l), and (m)”; and
in subsection (l)—
by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
“(1) Definitions—In this subsection:
“(A) Eligible entity—The term eligible entity means an entity that—
“(i) is—
“(I) a public water system;
“(II) a water system that is located in an area governed by an Indian Tribe;
“(III) a State, on behalf of an underserved community; or
“(IV) an institution of higher education that has an institute of cybersecurity and an established partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, if the institution of higher education is in partnership with an entity described in subclause (I), (II), or (III); and
“(ii) serves a community—
“(I) that, under affordability criteria established by the State under section 1452(d)(3), is determined by the State—
“(aa) to be a disadvantaged community; or
“(bb) to be a community that may become a disadvantaged community as a result of carrying out a project or activity under this subsection; or
“(II) with a population of less than 10,000 individuals that the Administrator determines does not have the capacity to incur debt sufficient to finance a project or activity under this subsection.
“(B) Natural hazard; resilience—The terms natural hazard and resilience have the meanings given those terms in section 1433(h).”
in paragraph (2)—
by striking “2026” and inserting “2030”; and
by striking “for the purpose of increasing resilience to natural hazards.” and inserting the following:
“(A) increasing resilience to natural hazards; and
“(B) reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”
in paragraph (3)—
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “or reduces cybersecurity vulnerabilities” after “natural hazards”; and
by striking subparagraph (F) and inserting the following:
“(F) the development and implementation of measures—
“(i) to increase the resilience of the eligible entity to natural hazards; or
“(ii) to reduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”
in paragraph (4)—
in subparagraph (B), by inserting “or potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities, as applicable,” after “natural hazard risk”;
in subparagraph (C)—
by striking “of the natural” and inserting the following:
“(i) the natural”
in clause (i) (as so designated), by adding “and” after the semicolon at the end; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(ii) the potential cybersecurity vulnerability to be addressed;”
in subparagraph (D), by inserting “or cybersecurity events” after “natural hazard events”;
in subparagraph (E), by inserting “or cybersecurity vulnerabilities” after “anticipated natural hazards”; and
by striking subparagraph (F) and inserting the following:
“(F) explains how the proposed program is expected—
“(i) to enhance the resilience of the community water system of the eligible entity to the anticipated natural hazards; or
“(ii) to reduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”
in paragraph (6), by striking “$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2104 Reducing lead in drinking water
Section 1459B(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19b(e)) is amended by striking “$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2105 Operational sustainability of small public water systems
Section 1459E(h) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19f(h)) is amended by striking “$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2106 Midsize and large drinking water system infrastructure resilience and sustainability program
Section 1459F(f)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19g(f)(1)) is amended by striking “$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2107 Voluntary school and child care program lead testing and reduction grant program
Section 1464(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–24(d)) is amended—
in paragraph (5), by striking “4 percent” and inserting “15 percent”; and
by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
“(8) Authorization of appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.”
Sec. 2108 Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program
Section 2001 of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (42 U.S.C. 300j–3c note; Public 115–270) is amended by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:
“(g) Authorization of appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program under subsection (a) $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.”
Sec. 2109 Digital infrastructure technology grant program
Definitions— In this section:
Critical water supply need— The term critical water supply need means an existing or reasonably anticipated future water supply need that cannot be met by existing water supplies, as identified in a comprehensive Statewide or regional water supply plan or assessment projected over a planning period of not less than 20 years.
Digital infrastructure technology— The term digital infrastructure technology means information technology or operational technology that utilizes—
remote sensing, flow or pressure monitoring, real-time pollutant or water monitoring, management, analytics, data, or acoustic data collection tools and technologies that may detect or reduce water loss, identify damaged or nonfunctioning infrastructure, or improve the efficiency, reliability, or resiliency of the operations of a public water system or treatment works;
industrial control systems, including supervisory control and data acquisition technology;
artificial or embedded intelligence, or other intelligent optimization tools;
hydraulic analysis, digital design software, and advanced digital design and construction management tools or software that may aid in the development of digital models and engineering plans; and
real-time data acquisition to support predictive aquifer recharge through water reuse and stormwater management capabilities.
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means—
the owner or operator of a publicly owned public water system or treatment works that serves—
a rural area; or
an area of a State that is experiencing a critical water supply need; and
a State or Indian Tribe, on behalf of an entity described in subparagraph (A).
Program— The term program means the grant program established under subsection (b)(1).
Public water system— The term public water system has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
Rural area— The term rural area has the meaning given the term “rural community” in section 221(f)(2)(B)(i) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1301(f)(2)(B)(i)).
Treatment works— The term treatment works has the meaning given the term in section 212 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1292).
Grant program—
Establishment— Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator shall establish a grant program to provide infrastructure assistance to eligible entities in accordance with this subsection to design, construct, and maintain digital infrastructure technology.
Form of grants— The Administrator may award a grant under the program to assist an eligible entity in—
designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining digital infrastructure technology for water infrastructure, source water protection, and water development projects in rural areas, including for—
facilities that supply, collect, and treat water, including drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater, including through desalination and water reuse;
water distribution and wastewater conveyance systems; and
the protection or development of surface water or groundwater resources, including through banking or recharging of aquifers;
providing training and workforce development activities to help project and construction managers and owners and operators of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities manage water infrastructure projects using digital infrastructure technology; and
mitigating risks and employing countermeasures to reduce the vulnerabilities of digital infrastructure technology for water infrastructure from cyber-attacks through on-site cybersecurity training and technical assistance.
Prioritization— In selecting recipients of grants under the program, the Administrator shall give priority to eligible entities that—
own or operate public water systems or treatment works that serve fewer than 3,300 people; or
serve people or comprise people that, as determined by the Administrator, are most in need, such as—
pre-fabricated home community organizations or associations that are controlled by a local public body; and
other organizations that—
own or operate a public water system or treatment works; and
are owned or controlled by members of the community served by the public water system or treatment works.
Authorization of appropriations—
In general— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out the program $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030, to remain available until expended.
Limitation— Of the amounts made available under subparagraph (A) for grants to eligible entities, not more than $5,000,000 may be used to provide grants to eligible entities described in subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii).
Applicability of other Federal and State laws— Nothing in this section waives, limits, or otherwise affects the applicability of any provision of Federal or State law that would apply to a project to be carried out with grants provided under the program.
Government Accountability Office report— Not later than 5 years after the date on which grant funds are first disbursed to eligible entities under subsection (b), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—
identifies—
water loss and inadequate fire flow capacity in public water systems that serve rural areas;
potential bottlenecks in combined sewer systems that serve rural areas that could prevent an overflow in a wastewater infrastructure system caused by extreme precipitation or excess runoff; and
models and simulations that are effective in assessing the challenges of water resource management in rural areas;
makes recommendations for—
developing water resource management plans to accommodate population growth in rural areas;
prioritizing areas for improvement of the infrastructure and operations of public water systems and treatment works in rural areas;
maximizing interoperability of digital infrastructure technology with other systems, products, tools, and applications;
reducing project delays and cost overruns in water infrastructure projects that serve rural areas;
reducing the total cost of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in rural areas;
understanding the impact of digital infrastructure technology in rural areas on sustainability and resiliency of a public water system or treatment works; and
using digital infrastructure technology to increase the affordability of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services in rural areas; and
evaluates the results of the program.
Sec. 2110 Point of use filtration system distribution pilot program
Definitions— In this section:
Contaminant— The term contaminant has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means a State, municipality, Tribal government, or other entity that—
serves a community with a public water system that demonstrates elevated levels of lead, perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, or other drinking water contaminants above the applicable maximum contaminant level for the contaminant; and
is undertaking or expects to undertake an effort to remediate the elevated level described in subparagraph (A) through a project of not less than 120 days in length.
Maximum contaminant level— The term maximum contaminant level has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
Pilot program— The term pilot program means the pilot program established under subsection (b).
Public water system— The term public water system has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
Establishment— Subject to the availability of appropriations, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a pilot program to competitively award grants to eligible entities to purchase and distribute point-of-use filtration systems certified to reduce 1 or more contaminants to below the maximum contaminant level of that contaminant.
Selection; prioritization— In selecting the recipient of grants under the pilot program, the Administrator shall—
give priority to eligible entities that include in the application for a grant under the pilot program a detailed plan for remediation, including expected timelines for projects that are expected to last for not less than 120 days; and
ensure that recipients of grants are evenly distributed among areas served by each regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Report— Not later than 2 years after the date on which the pilot program is established, the Administrator shall submit a report describing the results of the pilot program, including interest in the pilot program relative to available funding, to—
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030, to remain available until expended.
II Clean water
Sec. 2201 Research investigations, training, and information
Section 104(u) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1254(u)) is amended—
by striking “(g); and (8)” and inserting “(g); (8)”; and
by striking “subsection (b)(8).” and inserting “subsection (b)(8); and (9) not to exceed $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 for carrying out subsections (b)(3), (b)(8), and (g), of which not less than $50,000,000 shall be used to carry out subsection (b)(8).”.
Sec. 2202 Pilot program for alternative water source projects
Section 220(i)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1300(i)(1)) is amended by striking “$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2203 Sewer overflow and stormwater reuse municipal grants
Section 221(f)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1301(f)(1)) is amended by striking “$280,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$280,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2204 Grants for construction and refurbishing of individual household decentralized wastewater systems for individuals with low or moderate income
Section 226(e)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1302d(e)(1)) is amended by striking “$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2205 Clean Water State Revolving funds
Eligible projects— Section 603(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383(c)) is amended—
in paragraph (11)(B), by striking “and” at the end;
in paragraph (12)(B), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(13) for projects otherwise described in this subsection that address emerging contaminants, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which may include capital investments to facilitate assessment and monitoring.”
Determination of grant amounts—
In general— Section 603 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(l) Determination of grant amounts—The amount of grant awards described in subsection (d)(7) shall be determined based on the total amount appropriated to the Administrator each fiscal year to carry out this title, including, if applicable, any items of Community Project Funding or Congressionally Directed Spending for a clean water project that are referenced in a provision of an Act making appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency.”
Updated guidance— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update any applicable guidance to reflect the amendment made by paragraph (1).
Reauthorization— Section 607 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1387) is amended to read as follows:
“607. Authorization of appropriations
“There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the purposes of this title $3,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.”
Sec. 2206 Water sector workforce
America's Water Sector Workforce Initiative— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update the America's Water Sector Workforce Initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency with a focus on the development of a water sector workforce in small and rural communities.
Innovative water infrastructure workforce development program— Section 4304(c) of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (42 U.S.C. 300j–19e(c)) is amended—
in paragraph (3)—
in subparagraph (D)(iii), by striking “and” at the end;
in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(F) training related to cybersecurity in the water sector.”
in paragraph (5), by striking “$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2207 Grants to Alaska to improve sanitation in rural and Native villages
Section 303 of the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 1263a) is amended—
in subsection (a)(2), by inserting “, including operations and maintenance for emergency repairs when necessary” before the period at the end; and
by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
“(e) Authorization of appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.”
Sec. 2208 Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014
Funding— Section 5033 of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3912) is amended—
in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
“(4) Fiscal years 2027 through 2030—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subtitle $65,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030, to remain available until expended.”
in subsection (b)(2), by striking “2026” and inserting “2030”.
Agency reporting— Section 5034(a) of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3913(a)) is amended—
in paragraph (1), by striking “and” at the end;
by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
“(2) the average amount of time each application is processed by the Administrator and the Office of Management and Budget before obligation of funding; and”
Sec. 2209 Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies
Section 50217(b)(4)(A) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (33 U.S.C. 1302f(b)(4)(A)) is amended by striking “2022 through 2026” and inserting “2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2210 Water Resources Research Act amendments
Congressional declaration of purpose— Section 103(4) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10302(4)) is amended by inserting “, including the growing artificial intelligence industry,” after “private industry”.
Water resources research and technology institutes— Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10303) is amended—
in subsection (f)—
in paragraph (2), by striking “subsection 104(g) of this Act” and inserting “subsection (g)”; and
by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through “Any sums” in paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
“(f) General authorization of appropriations
“(1) In general—Except as provided in paragraph (2) and subject to subsection (g)(1), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
“(2) Failure to obligate—Any amounts”
in subsection (g)—
in paragraph (2), by striking “(2) Research funds” and inserting the following:
“(4) Competitive grants”
in paragraph (1)—
in the third sentence, by striking “Funds made” and inserting the following:
“(3) Availability of funds—Funds made”
by striking “by institutes which focuses” in the first sentence and all that follows through “Such funds when appropriated” in the second sentence and inserting the following:
“(A) Research that focuses on water problems and issues of a regional or interstate nature beyond those of concern only to a single State.
“(B) Research that relates to specific program priorities identified jointly by the Secretary and the institutes.
“(C) Research that relates to water problems identified by Congress as being of an interstate nature.
“(2) Federal cost-share—Funds made available under this subsection”
by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through “2025” in the first sentence of paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
“(g) Additional funds for research focused on water problems of interstate nature
“(1) In general—Of the amounts made available under subsection (f)(1) for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030, 20 percent shall be used”
Sec. 2211 Enhanced aquifer use and recharge
Section 124(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1276(c)) is amended by striking “$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026” and inserting “$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
III Geographic programs
Sec. 2301 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Section 118(c)(7)(J) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1268(c)(7)(J)) is amended by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
“(i) In general—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $475,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.”
Sec. 2302 Reauthorization of Long Island Sound Programs
Long island sound grants— Section 119(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1269(h)) is amended by striking “$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023” and inserting “$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Long island sound stewardship grants— Section 11(a) of the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 1269 note; Public Law 109–359) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023” and inserting “$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Technical amendment— Section 119(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1269(g)) is amended by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3).
Sec. 2303 Columbia River Basin Restoration
Section 123(d)(6) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1275(d)(6)) is amended by striking “$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021” and inserting “$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2304 National Estuary Program
Section 320(i)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330(i)(1)), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), is amended by striking “$26,500,000” and all that follows through “2026” and inserting “$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Sec. 2305 Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program
Reauthorization— Section 120(i) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1270(i)) is amended by striking “$35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027” and inserting “$35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030”.
Fiscal Agent Evaluation—
Definitions— In this subsection:
Administrator— The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Commission— The term Commission means the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
Program— The term Program means the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program established by section 120 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1270).
Report— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report assessing the effectiveness of the Commission in serving as the fiscal agent for the Program.
Consultation— In developing the report under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, consult with members of the Management Conference established by section 120(a)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1270(a)(1)).
Contents— The report under paragraph (2) shall—
review how the Commission has fulfilled its role as fiscal agent for the Program, including executing payroll, paying bills and other obligations, developing and executing funding agreements, and acting as a fiduciary for the Program; and
make recommendations on—
how to improve the role of the Commission as fiscal agent for the Program; and
whether a new fiscal agent should be selected to replace the Commission as fiscal agent for the Program.
Sec. 2306 Southeast New England program
Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“127. Southeast New England program
“(a) Definition of coastal watersheds of southeast new england—In this section, the term coastal watersheds of southeast New England means all of the watersheds of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts that drain into coastal waters between Long Island Sound and the Gulf of Maine.
“(b) Establishment—There is established in the Environmental Protection Agency a program, to be known as the “Southeast New England Program” (referred to in this section as the “Program”).
“(c) Purpose—The purpose of the Program shall be to protect, enhance, and restore the coastal watersheds of southeast New England by developing, funding, and advancing implementation of protection and restoration projects in collaboration with partners across the southeast New England region.
“(d) Grant program
“(1) In general—In carrying out the Program and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator may award grants to support and carry out projects in the coastal watersheds of southeast New England that assist in—
“(A) eliminating or reducing pollution;
“(B) restoring contaminated sites;
“(C) protecting or restoring ecosystems or habitats;
“(D) improving water quality;
“(E) monitoring watersheds to evaluate trends;
“(F) reducing stormwater runoff;
“(G) promoting resilience of the coastal watersheds;
“(H) supporting workforce development, training, or education initiatives that contribute to the health of the coastal watersheds of southeast New England; or
“(I) providing technical assistance in carrying out projects described in subparagraphs (A) through (G).
“(2) Eligible recipients—An entity eligible for a grant under this subsection is—
“(A) a State;
“(B) a county or local government, or a subdivision of such a government;
“(C) a federally recognized Indian tribe;
“(D) a regional planning organization;
“(E) a nonprofit organization; and
“(F) an institution of higher education.
“(3) Cost-share—The Federal share of an activity carried out using a grant under this subsection shall not exceed 75 percent.
“(e) Coordination—The Administrator shall coordinate the actions of Federal agencies that affect water quality and the living resources of the coastal watersheds of southeast New England to improve those resources and enhance efficiency.
“(f) Authorities and duties of Administrator
“(1) In general—In carrying out this section, the Administrator may—
“(A) enter into interagency agreements;
“(B) establish interagency working groups; and
“(C) contract for services to carry out the purposes of this section.
“(2) Staffing—The Administrator shall provide adequate staff to carry out the Program.
“(g) Authorization of appropriations
“(1) In general—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030, to remain available until expended.
“(2) Technical assistance—Of the amounts made available to award grants under subsection (d) in a fiscal year, not more than 10 percent may be used to award grants the primary purpose of which is providing technical assistance pursuant to paragraph (1)(I) of that subsection.”
“(3) Administrative expenses—Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) in a fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may be used for administrative expenses.”
IV Other matters
Sec. 2401 Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection
Definitions— In this section:
Community water system— The term community water system has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
Natural hazard— The term natural hazard has the meaning given the term in section 1433(h) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i–2(h)).
Treatment works— The term treatment works has the meaning given the term in section 212 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1292).
Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center— The term Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center means the Information Sharing and Analysis Center referenced in section 1435(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i–4(d)).
Establishment— Subject to the availability of appropriations, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and carry out a program—
to encourage, support, and maintain the participation of community water systems, treatment works, and other appropriate entities in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center;
to offset costs incurred by community water systems and treatment works that are necessary to maintain or initiate membership in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center;
to expand the cooperation and coordination of the Environmental Protection Agency with the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center with respect to incident data collection and analysis of water sector-related threats; and
to enhance the tools, resources, and materials of the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center for—
monitoring the status of the water sector; and
enhancing the preparedness of community water systems and publicly owned treatment works to identify, protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from malevolent acts (within the meaning of section 1433 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i–2)) or natural hazards.
Report— Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that—
describes—
the state of cybersecurity in the water sector; and
any significant challenges that the water sector faces with respect to cybersecurity; and
identifies any legislative changes recommended by the Administrator in order for the Administrator to better assist the water sector with cybersecurity.
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030, to remain available until expended.
Sec. 2402 Combating plastic waste
Section 302(g) of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (33 U.S.C. 4282(g)) is amended, in each of paragraphs (1) and (2)—
by inserting “in” after “described”; and
by striking “2025” and inserting “2030”.
Sec. 2403 Nonpotable aquifer exemptions for Class VI wells
Revision required— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise such regulations as the Administrator determines to be appropriate, including sections 144.7 and 146.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide for exemptions that allow the use of nonpotable aquifers for Class VI wells.
Regulatory requirement— In carrying out the revisions required under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall designate an aquifer, or portion of an aquifer, as an aquifer subject to the exemption described in subparagraph (A) if—
the aquifer, or portion of the aquifer, does not currently serve as a source of drinking water; and
the aquifer, or portion of the aquifer, cannot now and will not in the future serve as a source of drinking water; or
the total dissolved solids content of the ground water from the aquifer, or portion of the aquifer, is more than 3,000 mg/l and less than 10,000 mg/l; and
the aquifer, or portion of the aquifer, is not reasonably expected to supply a public water system.